Whose riding???

[trigurl]

We have finally found spring, yeeahhhhh. Fri was a great day, I only work 1/2 a day so I hit the mountain after work, it is almost a straight up with a few breaks of flats, whew, I didn't think I would make it, I thought I might even have an asthma attack, but I kept telling myself "quitting is NOT an option", I made it!!! I rode just about 14 miles and most of the coming down the mtn was down hill at speeds of 28 mph but it was great! the best part, I passed 3 guys on mtn bikes they were trying to go up with knobby's, that was funny, one guy didn't know I was behind him and the others did when I said passing left he looked at me funny and said I was making him look bad.

Then Sun. I hit the parkway and rode 22 miles various hills the last one did me in I turned around and went back, I was so cold too I could barely feel my toes, I did buy a windproof vest that helped some, the wind was blowing at times so hard that my bike moved a couple of times sideways! most of the time I was between mountains and didn't feel much wind but when I was in the open wooooo hhoooo, I got scared a couple of times. I did have to stop a few times, to drink and blow my nose, I even took my honey stick after an hour - that was a good boost, I plan to use those more often.

Anyone else having decent weather?

[alison_in_oh]

Anyone else having decent weather?

Nope, Spring is taunting us with hints of above-freezing weather but it doesn't last. I grabbed the one good day and got 24 miles out of it; my feet were numb at the end but it was worth it. No telling when the next such day will come; at least daylight savings is changing soon so when the weather finally drags its butt into Spring mode I'll have enough light to do some evening rides.

[emily_in_nc]

We finally had a gorgeous weekend here in central NC (well, last Sunday was nice too, but then we had snow mid-week!) My husband and I are hoping to do an Easter metric so got out for 53 rural miles yesterday. It was my longest ride this year and also my fastest - 16.5 mph. I cheated by drafting off hubby quite a bit, though! It was windy out, so I don't fault myself too much. Temps ranged from 61-67 with sunshine. Ahhhhhh....gotta love the first day of spring when it's really like spring!

Wishing sunshine and warmth on you all....

Emily

[trigurl]

drafting would have been great for me Sun! I was riding with a tough headwind most of the time.

[Veronica]

Just got back from doing 33. Climbed 2600 feet and had some nasty winds. We're in the middle of a couple of storm systems out here so the winds are kind of weird. There's always some wind, we even get written about in sailing mags, 'cause our wind is so strong and predictable, but today's was not the usual direction.

V.

[SnappyPix]

Managed 55 miles yesterday. Was only intending to do about 30, but it was such a nice day, that I carried on flying! Unfortunately didn't take any food with me, bar a little conference pear, so in serious danger of bonking at the end! Anyhow, spring has finally sprung!
Actually overtook 2 sets of club riders, which is an absolute first! Used to having 3 year old toddlers on tricycles speeding past me!
Also managed all 55 on my lonesome, and didn't get lost once - another first (terrible sense of direction!).
Feeling very motivated for this year's season.
Whoo-hoo!

[bounceswoosh]

Anyone else having decent weather?

The weather's been great, and if only I could stop getting sick I'd love to enjoy it.

I am seeing a lot of cars driving around with mountain bikes on top ... I guess I'd better put the rack back on Roxie (my WRX).

[Crankin]

I went on my first rides last week. On Tuesday, after we had had about a foot of snow on Sat., it was really nice, about 45 when I got home. The streets were still a mess, with tons of sand and some ice, so I took my mountain bike out on the road. It was slow going on that heavy bike, but I felt great. I only went 10 miles, but I felt like a kid riding for the first time! Yesterday, I went out for my first real ride on my road bike. My husband and I went just a short 15 mile ride that I usually do after work. I felt great, my average was up a little, and I felt really strong. I think the weight training and X country skiing really helped. My husband commented that I seem more prepared for the season than he does! I am going out tomorrow after work for about 20 miles. Yes!!!!

[trigurl]

How do ya'll get in so many miles? after 11 one way and looking at yet another hill, I turned tail remembering I still had hills to climb to get back home. Unforn. I don't have much flat land to ride on here, if you go any distance you WILL have to go up hill, kinda makes me miss living in Charleston, SC, not a hill around worth mentioning.

[emily_in_nc]

How do ya'll get in so many miles? after 11 one way and looking at yet another hill, I turned tail remembering I still had hills to climb to get back home. Unforn. I don't have much flat land to ride on here, if you go any distance you WILL have to go up hill, kinda makes me miss living in Charleston, SC, not a hill around worth mentioning.

Gotta learn to "love" hills! Embrace them, think of them as that extra scoop of ice cream you get to eat afterwards! Hills are definitely the biggest challenge for me too - I am pretty fast otherwise but am definitely a hill slug. My heart rate goes WAY up to my max on them, and I huff and puff, but as I get more and more fit, I recover a lot quicker after each one. Here in the Piedmont of NC, the terrain is rolling, and there is no way to ride without hills. Every one you do will make you stronger...just keep at it, and they will get easier!

Emily

[shewhobikes]

on Sunday, and the first time I've put together 30 continuous miles (I've only had my bike since end of January, a newbie, this was my 3rd group ride) so high five! What a gorgeous day...tulip trees and jonquils blooming, horse farms, birds chirping, 75 degrees and just overcast enough that you didn't need your shades.

Wooohooo, how perfect can it get? Hope spring comes to the rest of us soon!